Franklin Township's Expanding Trail System

A message from Matt Thompson, one of Franklin Township’s AWESOME Volunteers –

“Work continues out at Crossan Park and Franklin Preserve and the trail system is expanding!  A loop has now been completed around Franklin Preserve which winds its way nicely through the Osage Orange hedge.  The trail will take users from the top parking lot located within Crossan Park through the field and out to the hedge along Parsons Road.  From Parsons Road the trail makes a 90 degree right turn and drops users down a nice rolling trail through a tunnel of Osage, which I believe was at one point the old farm access road.  Remnants of the farm can be seen along this trail (sadly some is trash) with a section of it going through what must be the old barn foundation.  At the bottom, the trail will make another right turn taking you back towards the lower parking lot in Crossan.  Also, at the bottom users will see an area that was recently replanted, possibly the location of a future loop.  

People continue to discover the trails and it is great!  Seeing folks enjoy the trails makes all the hard work out there worthwhile and fuels me to keep going.  Future plans are always in the back of my mind and there is still a long list of little items that need to be done.  First and foremost is a crossing across the swale along Parsons Road.  Currently users need to carefully walk across large chunks of stone to use trail.   As the weather gets warmer and vegetation starts to grow there will be trail clearing that needs to be done.  I would encourage users to bring a small pair of hand pruners and cut back any vegetation hanging in the trail.

If people want to get involved, please check Velo Amis for future Trail Work Parties.  We will try to get some workdays scheduled and on the site.  To those that have helped so far, a huge Thank You.  Namely Velo Amis and soCHESco Hellbenders.

Please enjoy the trails and treat them well.  Do not use trails (or any trails for that matter) when they are soft or wet and respect other trail users.”

We hope that you enjoy Crossan Park and our Preserves, please be sure to visit the Franklin Townships Website for maps of these locations.  More information about these areas will be posted in the future. 

Don't forget about the The Geoheagan Trail which will allow you to enjoy the beautiful views of our local farms.  You can park at the Township Office, located at 20 Municipal Lane, Landenberg, PA and it is an nice walk to the trail.